Note from Jed's Desk (#2)
Harbor,
In spite of the crazy weather last weekend, we kicked off our year with three great worship gatherings. I shared with you something that God has been stirring in me over the last several months. I want to begin the year by revisiting what I’ve learned about God through the prophet Haggai and encourage you to rest in these truths in the season ahead. For each of the next three weeks, I’ll take a single promise from Haggai 2 and encourage you to prayerfully consider how to apply it to your life.
“Does anyone remember this house – this Temple – in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all. But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.” Haggai 2:2-5
The first thing Haggai teaches us about God is that He is Lord of the Mess!
The truth is that each of us has been a mess, is a mess, or will be a mess at some point in our lives. If you can’t admit this to be true, it only means you’re more of a mess than you realize. Minus the mercy of Christ, all of us are sunk in the mess of our sin.
That being said, some of us are caught up in a very real mess right now, aren’t we? Whether it’s a mess of relational brokenness, financial hardship, physical illness or a self-destructive habit; or a sense of despair, regret, or disappointment, our mess is undeniable. We can try to hide it, but in doing so we’re only fooling ourselves.
I’ve found that it’s easy to acknowledge that God is good and in control when the circumstances of my life are good and under control. But what about those moments when life kicks us in the gut? Those are the times when we tend to doubt God’s nearness or goodness in our lives.
But through Haggai we see that even when the Temple of God lay in ruins, He was still on the throne. And though Israel was paralyzed by despondency, He mercifully called them out of their mess to a place of courage, strength, and hope.
Read the promise again...
“Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.” 2:4-5
The circumstances of your life might look to you like irreparable ruins. But God is still present in the midst of those ruins. He is not only the Lord of the mountaintop, He is Lord of the Mess!
So...today, may you go to Him and know that He is with you. May you rest in the One who, for centuries, has been rebuilding the ruins of our lives by his mercy and power. And may you see that Jesus was willing to be ruined by our sin to make us beautiful in God’s sight.
No matter your circumstances, do not be afraid. The Lord of the Mess is with you! If there is a specific way we can pray or care for you, email me. We want to help.
Don’t forget that this weekend is Group Link! If you’re unable to join us, find out more about Harbor’s small groups and sign up for one at www.harborofhope.org/jg
As you prepare to attend a worship gathering, consider inviting a friend to join you.
Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation!